Correctional officer dies in accidental drowning in aqueduct

A 51-year-old man whose body was pulled from the California aqueduct in Pearblossom on Friday died accidently of drowning, a coroner’s spokesman revealed Sunday.

Thomas Hayes, of Palmdale, a correctional officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, died of drowning, said Investigator Jerry McKibben of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

His death was an accident, McKibben said.

Hayes was reported missing Thursday after failing to return from a walk Wednesday.

The death, although accidental, has been turned over to homicide detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, said Lt. Glenn Brandon of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.